Resin Memorial Jewelry — Handcrafted Ash & Hair Resin Rings | WildBeard Legacy Co
Resin Memorial Jewelry — Preserving What Matters, Permanently
Resin is the material that makes memorial jewelry possible. It's the medium that takes something as fragile and irreplaceable as cremation ashes, a lock of hair, or a handful of pet fur — and seals it permanently inside a ring you can wear every day for the rest of your life. At WildBeard Legacy Co, we work with high-quality casting and inlay resins in Fort Collins, Colorado, to create memorial pieces that are both technically precise and deeply personal.
If you've ever wondered how ashes actually get inside a ring, or what makes one resin memorial piece last a lifetime while another fades and fails — this page answers those questions and explains what sets a WildBeard resin memorial piece apart from mass-produced alternatives.
What Is Resin Memorial Jewelry?
Resin memorial jewelry uses a clear or tinted epoxy or polyester resin to permanently encapsulate memorial materials — cremation ashes, hair, fur, flowers, soil, or other meaningful inclusions — inside a wearable piece. The resin is mixed, poured or packed into a channel or mold, and cured to create a hard, durable, transparent or semi-transparent inlay that holds the memorial material in place permanently.
At WildBeard Legacy Co, resin is used in two primary ways:
- Inlay resin — poured into a channel cut into a metal ring band, encapsulating ashes, hair, or fur within the band itself. The resin becomes part of the ring structure.
- Cast resin — used to create standalone pendants, keepsakes, or decorative pieces where the resin is the primary material rather than an inlay.
What Can Be Preserved in Resin?
Resin can permanently preserve a wide range of memorial materials:
- Cremation ashes — human or pet — the most common inclusion in memorial rings
- Pet fur or human hair — preserved as a visible or embedded inclusion
- Dried flowers — from a funeral, a garden, or a meaningful occasion
- Soil or sand — from a meaningful location, a family property, or a favorite place
- Feathers — from a bird, a hunting dog, or a meaningful animal
- Small personal objects — depending on size and design, small meaningful items can sometimes be incorporated
During your consultation, we'll discuss what you want to preserve and how best to incorporate it into your piece.
→ How ashes are added to memorial rings
→ Can you put hair or fur in jewelry?
→ How much ash do you need for memorial jewelry?
How Resin Memorial Rings Are Made at WildBeard
The process of creating a resin memorial ring requires precision, patience, and the right materials. Here's how we do it:
- Ring fabrication — the metal band is shaped and finished, with a channel cut to the correct depth and width for the resin inlay
- Memorial material preparation — your ashes, hair, or fur are carefully measured and prepared for incorporation
- Resin mixing — high-quality two-part epoxy resin is mixed to precise ratios to ensure proper curing and clarity
- Inlay pour — the resin is carefully poured or packed into the channel, incorporating your memorial materials at the correct depth and distribution
- Curing — the resin is allowed to cure fully under controlled conditions to prevent bubbles, cloudiness, or incomplete hardening
- Finishing — the cured resin is sanded, polished, and finished flush with the ring surface for a seamless, professional result
The difference between a WildBeard resin inlay and a mass-produced alternative is in every step of this process — the quality of the resin, the precision of the pour, the care taken with your memorial materials, and the finishing work that makes the inlay look like it was always part of the ring.
→ See our full ring-making process
→ From consultation to delivery
Resin Memorial Jewelry Durability
High-quality epoxy resin, properly cured and finished, is extremely durable for everyday wear:
- Hardness: Cured epoxy resin is hard and resistant to everyday scratching
- UV stability: Quality resins are UV-stabilized to resist yellowing over time — a critical factor in long-term clarity
- Water resistance: Properly cured resin is water-resistant and safe for everyday wear, though prolonged soaking in harsh chemicals should be avoided
- Longevity: A properly made resin inlay will last for decades without degradation of the memorial materials inside
The most common failure in cheap resin memorial jewelry is poor-quality resin that yellows, clouds, or cracks over time. At WildBeard, we use professional-grade resins specifically selected for long-term clarity and durability.
→ What happens to ashes in jewelry over time?
→ Most durable cremation ring materials
Resin Color and Appearance Options
Resin can be clear, tinted, or mixed with pigments to create a range of visual effects:
- Clear resin — the ashes or inclusions are visible through the resin, creating a window into the memorial material
- Tinted resin — colored pigments can be added to create blue, black, green, or other tones while still incorporating the memorial material
- Galaxy/nebula effects — metallic pigments and layering techniques create a deep, cosmic appearance
- Glow-in-the-dark resin — phosphorescent pigments create a ring that glows softly in the dark
During your consultation, we'll discuss the appearance you're looking for and how best to achieve it with your specific memorial materials.
Resin vs. Other Memorial Inlay Methods
| Method | Memorial Material Visible | Durability | Customization | Water Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resin Inlay | Yes (clear/tinted) | High | Very High | Yes |
| Metal Inlay Only | No | Very High | Moderate | Yes |
| Wood Inlay | No | Moderate | High | Moderate |
| Antler Inlay | No | Moderate-High | High | Moderate |
→ Compare: Wood inlay rings
→ Compare: Antler inlay rings
→ Compare: Tungsten base rings
The WildBeard Difference
Mass-produced resin memorial jewelry is everywhere online. The difference is in the resin quality, the craftsmanship of the inlay, and the care taken with your irreplaceable memorial materials. At WildBeard Legacy Co, your ashes or fur are handled with the same respect you'd expect from a trusted craftsman — because that's exactly what we are.
One craftsman. Fort Collins, Colorado. Your memorial materials handled with care. Your ring built to last a lifetime.
→ About WildBeard Legacy Co
→ Start your custom consultation
Frequently Asked Questions — Resin Memorial Jewelry
Are the ashes visible inside the ring?
It depends on the resin type and color chosen. With clear resin, the ashes are visible as a subtle texture within the inlay. With tinted or pigmented resin, the ashes are incorporated but may be less visible. We'll discuss your preference during consultation.
Will the resin yellow over time?
Low-quality resins can yellow with UV exposure over time. At WildBeard, we use UV-stabilized professional-grade resins specifically selected to resist yellowing and maintain clarity for decades. Learn more about what happens to ashes in jewelry over time.
How much ash is needed for a resin inlay ring?
Very little — typically less than a teaspoon. The exact amount depends on the ring design and channel size. Read our full guide on how much ash is needed.
Can pet fur be used instead of ashes?
Yes. Pet fur, human hair, or a combination of both can be incorporated into a resin inlay. Learn more about hair and fur in memorial jewelry.
Is resin memorial jewelry waterproof?
Properly cured resin is water-resistant and safe for everyday wear including hand washing and light water exposure. Prolonged soaking in harsh chemicals or saltwater should be avoided. Can memorial jewelry get wet? Full guide here.
What if I want to send my own materials?
We provide detailed instructions for safely sending your memorial materials during the consultation process. Your materials are handled with complete care and respect throughout the entire process.
Ready to Create Your Resin Memorial Piece?
Every resin memorial ring starts with a conversation. Tell us who you're honoring, what materials you want to preserve, and what you want to carry for the rest of your life. We'll build it by hand in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Start Your Custom Consultation →
→ Shop ash rings and cremation jewelry
→ Shop pet fur rings
→ Shop human ash jewelry
→ Browse the memorial jewelry FAQ
→ Explore cremation keepsakes